Canadiens: conversations with the newest draft picks

By Dan Linn

July 9th, 2003

In Montreal, fans are still buzzing about the selectionsmade at this year’s draft, one of the deepest in several years.With the development camp already underway, most of the recent picks arein Montreal getting their first taste of an NHL camp.Here’s an in-depth look at a few of the newest prospects, CoryUrquhart, Corey Locke and Jimmy Bonneau including their draft-day reactions.

Cory Urquhart

The native of Halifax was taken early in the second round,40th overall, but with the ever present media pressure in Montreal,he will have to show fans why Savard and company picked the tall center earlierthen armchair experts expected.Playingin the Habs back yard for the Montreal Rocket of the QMJHL, Urquhartshouldbe no stranger to the high expectations placed on hockey players in the greatcity.He’s even learned Frenchfrom his teammates, over the year and half he’s been in Montreal.

When asked about being drafted by the Canadiens, heresponded, “Yeah, it’s like a dream come true.For every kid growing up in Canada, it’s always the Canadiens.Not just every kid in Canada, but throughout the hockey world.cerun:yes”> It’s the most successful team in the history of hockey,with all the Stanley Cups they’ve won.It’sa great history with the team. I’m soexcited right now, I can’t even explain it.It’s a dream come true.”

What the Habs are in need of is high-scoring centers withsize, and what they got when they drafted Urquhart was just that.When asked about what skills he can bring to the organization, he said,“I think my biggest skill is my offensive ability.I had 35 goals this year, and I had chances at a lot more.I’m a big center that makes his linemates better.I’m a smart player that can do the job defensively just as well asanybody–I was always playing against the top line.I know how to deceive the other team, and I know how to get into positionto score goals, and, when I have the chance, I usually do.”

To reach the NHL level he will need to be solid in bothends of the rink, not just on offense.Whenasked about his two-way play, he added, “I’m more offensive than defensive.My defense could still use work, so I’m definitely more ofan offensive center.First lineguy, top two-line guy, someone who is going to put points on the board.”

It’s common for young goal scorers to have holes in theirdefensive game, so he’ll have a few years to work on this playing for ex-Habscoach Alain Vigneault.When askedwhat he needs to work on, he replied, “I think I just need to get stronger,physically, and improve my skating a little.That will come with the right teaching, and a little more maturity.So, pretty much that, just get a little stronger — I’ve got the heightand the size – just put on a little more weight, and get stronger withoutlosing any of my other qualities as a hockey player.”Getting stronger will indeed benefit him, as players in the NHL aregetting bigger and faster all the time, so to contain his man down low (whichwill be his job as a center in Montreal’s defensive system) and break freealong the boards, added strength and bulk will come in handy.

Corey Locke

In the fourth round, the Habs took a chance on Corey Locke,at 113th overall, a pick they traded Oleg Petrov to the NashvillePredators for.The CHL player ofthe year, Locke had a very impressive season playing for the Ottawa 67’s ofthe OHL.Locke was eligible to bedrafted in the ’02 draft, but due to injuries and so-so numbers, he decided towait a year.

Even though he racked up the points this season, his size,skating, and one of the deepest drafts in over a decade, Locke was left out ofthe first three rounds even though he was named the top junior player in all ofCanada.When asked about this he replied,“Just happy right now.Just happy to be drafted by Montreal.It’s a great feeling going early today, just to get it over with.There weren’t as many nerves today as there were yesterday.So, it’s a real good experience, and I’m thrilled to be drafted rightnow.”

By drafting Locke, the Habs added another high scoringcenter, but one that must overcome his small stature and lack of quick feet.Still he knows how to produce on offense, and when asked about whatskills he brings to the Habs, he responded, “Offensive skills, I believe;I’m more of a playmaker than a goal-scorer.Just some energy up front, I think, to get in there with a little hungeraround the net.Hopefully I bring alittle scoring touch there.”

Montreal can certainly use more fire power on offense, soadding Locke was a gamble but with a solid prospect group already in place, itwas a gamble management can afford to take.He was asked about his future plans, where he said, “Going back for thesummer.I’ll be back in Ottawanext year, and working out in the summer.I’llalso be going to the Montreal camp, as well as the Team Canada camp, so itshould be pretty interesting.”

Jimmy Bonneau

When the Habs took Bonneau in the eighth round, 241stoverall, they knew what they were getting, a tough fighter who will drop thegloves with anyone.Playing for theMontreal Rocket, under ex-Habs coach Vigneault, Bonneau brings a tough physicalgame, but he’s learning to do more then just fight.

When asked to describe his game, he replied, “I thinkI’m a tough guy.I can drop thegloves against anyone in the Q league. If I have to do that in the NHL I think Ican do that too.I’m also ahockey player.I have a limitedtalent and skill, but if I want I can play a tough game. Go in front of the net,take some shots.Play in a system.Do what I have to do.Butfirst of all I am a tough guy who protects the smaller guys like Lapierre andUrquhart drafted by Montreal in the second round, they are my teammates in theseason.If someone slashes them orsomething like that I go drop the gloves or just talk.”One thing the Habs are sorely lacking is tough wingers that will stick upfor their teammates and drop the gloves, adding Bonneau will fill that need.

Bonneau didn’t produce much on the score sheet, but hebrings a lot of other intangibles that can’t be found on a stat sheet.When asked about what he needs to work on to make the NHL someday, hesaid, “For sure.My toughness Ican go up with, but I have to improve my skating, continue to improve my skills.My skating is the first thing I need to improve.Play more, play on a regular shift, be in good shape, try to score somegoals.”

Playing on the fourth line mostly, around five to sixminutes a night, Bonneau picked up 1 goal and 6 points, but got into 23 fightswith his limited ice time.Whatgoals does he have for next season? “My goal for next year is to have 5 or 10goals, play on a regular shift, 12 or 15 minutes per game.”

Hopefully he can reach his goals next season, but you cancount on one thing, their will be scouts and fans from the Habs organizationwatching closely, since the Habs now have four prospects on the same team, (Lambert,Urquhart, Lapierre, Bonneau).Managementmust have seen something they liked in the rookie, although they didn’t talk tohim prior to drafting him. “No, I know they are often in the stands watchingthe Rocket.Every time I thought ohmaybe they will draft me because they see me all the time. But they didn’ttalk to me.I’m really happy.”

With Urquhart, Locke and Bonneau, the Habs made some youngkids happy to be a part of the storied franchise, while adding size, skill andtoughness from just three picks.